Non-buoyant passive marine rescue apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a marine rescue apparatus for ship-based rescue of a victim in the water. The apparatus has two parts: a sling positioning device and a removably attached sling component. The sling positioning device is made up of a positioning pole connected to two positioning arms. The sling component is made up of a sling rope connected to a sling loop. The sling loop has non-positive buoyancy, and is removably attached to the positioning arms. This allows a user to guide the spread sling loop over a non-responsive victim to capture them, even if the victim is in a prone position or underwater. After the user detaches the sling positioning device, they can pull the victim on-ship manually, or by using some type of rescue mechanism.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

The invention described herein was made with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States Department of Commerce. The United States Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of marine life-saving devices, and more specifically to an apparatus for attaching a lifeline to a person in the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Man overboard rescue devices known in the art are dispatched from a boat to provide a physical connection to a victim in the water. Many of these rescue devices use recovery slings, rather than tow ropes, when victim is exhausted or physically compromised and unable to grip a buoyant device or tow rope. The sling is generally a buoyant support device configured in a U-shape or sling shape which the victim can position under their torso or arms.

Unfortunately, recovery slings known in the art are only effective for victims who are responsive and retain sufficient strength, dexterity, and understanding to reach for the recovery sling and attach the sling to their body. If a victim is unconscious or otherwise unable to reach for the sling, a rescue device, such as a rope, must be physically placed under a victim's arms and torso. Entering the water to position the rescue device under a victim may place rescue personnel at risk.

There is an unmet need in the art for a marine rescue device capable of being positioned under the arms and/or torso without the assistance of the victim in the event the victim is unconscious or otherwise unable to assist in a “passive” rescue effort.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a marine rescue apparatus for ship-based rescue of a victim in the water. The apparatus has two parts: a sling positioning device and a removably attached sling component. The sling positioning device is made up of a positioning pole connected to two positioning arms, while the sling component is made up of a sling rope connected to a sling loop. The sling loop has non-positive buoyancy, and is removably attached to the positioning arms, which hold the sling loop in a spread position. This allows a user to guide the spread sling loop over a non-responsive victim to capture them, even if the victim is in a prone position or underwater. After the user detaches the sling positioning device, the user can pull the victim on-ship manually, or by using some type of rescue mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIGS. 1a through 1d illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a marine rescue apparatus.

TERMS OF ART

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to a point further from a reference point.

As used herein, the term “locking hinge mechanism” refers to a hinge capable of locking in a deployed position.

As used herein, the term “loop” refers to a length of material forming a circle.

As used herein, the term “mechanical fastener” refers to a fastener that mechanically connects two or more objects together.

As used herein, the term “minimum working load” refers to the minimum weight that can be borne by an object without the object breaking.

As used herein, the term “non-positive buoyancy” refers to neutral or negative buoyancy.

As used herein, the term “pole” refers to a cylindrical, elongated object.

As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to a point closer to a reference point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1a through 1d illustrate an exemplary embodiment of marine rescue apparatus 100. Apparatus 100 includes a sling positioning device 10 detachably connected to a sling component 20.

Sling positioning device 10 is made of fiberglass composite, carbon fiber composite, polymer, metal, or any combination thereof. Positioning handle 11 is connected to positioning arms 14 by a positioning pole 12. Positioning handle 11 may have a T-shape, open rectangle, or straight configuration. Positioning pole 12 may have a fixed length or telescope to modify length. Positioning pole 12 attaches to positioning arms 14 at an angle of approximately 125 degrees to approximately 145 degrees, with a preferred arm attachment angle of approximately 135 degrees. This angulation allows a user to deploy apparatus 100 from a height above an intended target.

Positioning arms 14 spread apart at an angle ranging from approximately 85 degrees to approximately 95 degrees. In certain embodiments, positioning arms 14 are connected by a locking hinge mechanism which allows them to be folded together for storage. Each of positioning arms 14 has a bend or curve of approximately 140 degrees to approximately 150 degrees. This angulation provides the necessary depth to positioning arms 14 to allow them to capture an intended target, while limiting the spread of positioning arms 14 to prevent them from becoming too unwieldy.

At least one rope clip 13 on positioning pole 12 and loop clips 15 on positioning arms 14 removably secure sling component 20 to sling positioning device 10. In the exemplary embodiment, rope clip 13 is a length of semi-rigid tubing such as, but not limited to, a length of polymer pipe. A slit down the length of the tubing allows connection to part of sling component 20. In other embodiments, rope clip 13 is a length of elastomer molded to have a C-shaped cross section. In the exemplary embodiment, loop clips 15 are hollow tubes with a slot cut in a distal end and a positioning arm 14 inserted into a proximal end. In other embodiments, loop clips 15 are a solid mass with arms extending from a distal end and a blind bore at a proximal end for insertion of positioning arm 14. Each loop clip 15 is removably secured to a positioning arm 14 with a mechanical fastener 16 such as, but not limited to, a bolt or a pin. Mechanical fasteners 16 extend through both positioning arms 14 and loop clips 15, allowing replacement of loop clips 15 if one becomes damaged.

Sling component 20 is a sling rope 21 tied to a sling loop 24 with a sling attachment webbing 23, A variably placed lifting loop 22 is located at a point between sling attachment webbing 23 and a proximal end of sling rope 21.

Sling rope 21 is a rope of synthetic material with a high ultraviolet (UV) resistance to prevent degrading during storage. Sling rope 21 has a minimum working load of approximately 800 lbs. and a minimum length approximately 12 feet longer than a maximum length of positioning pole 12. Variably placed lifting loop 22 is a knot in sling rope 21. Variably placed lifting loop 22 is tied by a user during initial set-up for attachment to a lifting mechanism such as, but not limited to, a block and tackle. The location of variably placed lifting loop 22 is adjustable to accommodate differences in boat deck or lifting mechanism height. Apparatus 100 may include instructions as to where and how to tie variably placed lifting loop 22.

Sling attachment webbing 23 is a length of doubled-over and stitched webbing connecting sling loop 24 to a distal end of sling rope 21. Sling loop 24 is a loop of flat woven synthetic material with a high UV resistance to prevent degrading during storage. Sling loop 24 is not positively buoyant, allowing a user to push it below the surface of a body of water. Sling loop 24 has a working load of at least 800 lbs. and a width of approximately 1.5 inches to approximately 2.5 inches. In certain embodiments, sling loop 24 has an attached sling weight 25. Sling weight 25 is permanently attached to sling loop 24 opposite sling attachment webbing 23 and centered between positioning arms 14. Sling weight 25 pulls sling loop 24 underwater to allow sling loop 24 to pass under a floating victim. Sling weight 25 weighs between approximately 6 oz. and approximately 18 oz. In the exemplary embodiment, sling weight 25 is a porous, flexible bag of material with a high UV resistance to prevent degrading during storage. In the exemplary embodiment, sling weight 25 contains a quantity of a particulate material with negative buoyancy such as, but not limited to, sand or lead shot.

Before use, a user will review instructions for use of marine rescue apparatus 100 and tie variably placed lifting loop 22 in place along sling rope 21. The instructions will educate the user in determining the correct location for variably placed lifting loop 22 and how to tie variably placed lifting loop 22. If it becomes necessary to use apparatus 100, the user will remove apparatus 100 from storage and optionally unfold positioning arms 14 into a deployed position and/or telescope positioning pole 12 to the correct length to reach a victim. Next, the user will grasp positioning handle 11 and extend the distal end of apparatus 100 towards the victim.

If the victim is conscious and capable of maneuvering sling loop 24, then the user need only extend apparatus 100 to the victim's general vicinity to allow them to grasp and don sling loop 24. If the victim is conscious, but unable to manipulate sling loop 24, then the user may carefully move the distal end of apparatus 100 over the victim such that they are bracketed by positioning arms 14 and lower sling loop 24 over the victim. If the victim is unconscious and floating, then the user may move the distal end of apparatus 100 to one end of the victim such that they are bracketed by positioning arms 14, and pass sling loop 24 along the victim. Because sling loop 24 has non-positive (i.e., negative or neutral) buoyancy further assisted by attached sling weight 25, a user will be able to move sling loop 24 under the water surface if necessary to retrieve the victim.

Once sling loop 24 is in place around the victim, sling positioning device 10 can fully detach from sling component 20. The user may pull the victim up manually, or attach variably placed lifting loop 22 to a lifting mechanism. Once the victim is safely aboard the ship, the user may reattach sling positioning device 10 and sling component 20, or make repairs to one or both components. For example, a user might replace a damaged loop clip 15 by removing mechanical fastener 16, removing the damaged loop clip 15 from positioning arm 14, attached a new loop clip 15, and passing mechanical fastener 16 through both positioning arm 14 and the new loop clip 15.

It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, procedures and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.

It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A marine rescue apparatus, comprised of: a sling positioning device; and a sling component having non-positive buoyancy, wherein said sling component is removably attached to said sling positioning device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sling positioning device is comprised of a pole and a plurality of positioning arms forming an angle
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said positioning arms form an angle of approximately 85 degrees to approximately 95 degrees.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said plurality of positioning arms are foldably connected by a locking hinge mechanism.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of positioning arms has a bend or curve ranging from approximately 140 degrees to approximately 150 degrees.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said sling positioning device further includes a positioning handle connected to a proximal end of said positioning pole, wherein said positioning handle has a configuration selected from a group consisting of: T-shaped, open rectangle, or straight.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said sling positioning device further includes a plurality of loop clips, wherein each of said plurality of loop clips is removably secured to one of said plurality of positioning arms with a mechanical fastener.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of said plurality of loop clips is a tube having a slot cut in a distal end.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of said plurality of loop clips is a solid mass having a blind bore in a proximal end and a plurality of clip arms extending from a distal end.
 10. The apparatus of claim , wherein said sling component is comprised of a sling rope connected to a sling loop.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sling positioning device further includes at least one rope clip removably attached to said sling rope.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one rope clip is a length of semi-rigid tubing having a slit along said length.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one rope clip is a length of elastomer having a C-shaped cross section.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sling rope is a synthetic material with a minimum working load of approximately 800 lbs. and a minimum length approximately 12 feet longer than a maximum length of said sling positioning device.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said sling rope further includes a variably placed lifting loop.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sling component further includes a sling attachment webbing connecting said sling rope to said sling loop.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sling loop is a loop of flat, woven synthetic material with a minimum working load of approximately 800 lbs.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sling component further includes a sling weight attached to said sling loop.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said sling weight is a flexible bag permanently attached to said sling loop.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said sling weight s a porous bag filled with a particulate material having negative buoyancy.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said particulate material is selected from the group consisting of sand and lead shot. 